President Donald Trump on Monday issued a stark warning to Oman, a longstanding U.S. ally, stating that the United States would take military action against the Gulf nation if it obstructs Washington’s efforts to reach a deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.
In a phone interview with Fox News, Trump said: “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them.” The comments were reported by Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst.
The threat comes as a 60-day negotiating window between the United States and Iran, established under a June memorandum of understanding, expires on August 17. The interim agreement had provided for temporary toll-free passage through the strategically vital waterway, after which Iran and Oman were to define future arrangements for its administration.
Earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced that Tehran and Muscat had reached an “understanding” regarding shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz and were working toward a joint declaration. The strait, which carries a significant share of the world’s oil supplies, has been largely restricted for nearly six months amid the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict that began in late February.
Trump has repeatedly asserted U.S. control over the waterway and last week indicated he was prepared to declare the Strait of Hormuz “a territory of the United States.” He has rejected Iranian demands for compensation and any arrangement that would allow Oman and Iran to impose fees or exercise joint control.
During the same interview, Trump also confirmed the existence of a direct backchannel between U.S. officials and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He insisted the United States is in no hurry to conclude a deal, stating, “I have no time schedule. I’m not in a hurry,” while calling on Iran to “wave the white flag of surrender.”
This is not the first time the President has issued strong warnings to Oman. In May, Trump stated that Muscat must “behave like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has separately warned that Oman could face aggressive sanctions if it cooperates with Iran on imposing fees in the strait.
Oman has historically served as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. The latest remarks mark a significant escalation in rhetoric toward a key regional partner at a sensitive moment in negotiations over one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.
The White House has not issued an immediate formal statement elaborating on the President’s comments.